Nota bene: All products in this article are independently selected and vetted by InsideHook editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The best gift I’ve ever given is the New York Times Birthday Edition book.
Okay, actually the best gift I’ve ever given was a watercolor painting of a former boyfriend’s favorite New York City bar I commissioned through Etsy. Only $120 for a beautifully illustrated, custom painting! Can’t beat that. It was such a thoughtful surprise he actually cried upon opening it. But since I no longer want the greatest gift I’ve ever given associated with a past lover, I’m sticking with this: The best gift I’ve ever given is the New York Times Birthday Edition, and I gifted it to my mother, who has no choice but to love me forever.
I actually discovered the Birthday Edition through a friend who had also gifted the item to her mother, suggesting to a group chat I was in at the time that if anyone was ever in need of a unique, personal gift, this was the way to go. And I would have to agree.
What is the New York Times Birthday Book?
The item in question is a 12″ x 15″ coffee table book filled with every front page of the New York Times on the day you were born, starting with the day and year you were born. Say you (or your gift recipient) were born on February 1, 1969. The book would begin with the front page from that date, then the front page from every February 1 through the present. You also have the choice of a linen cover (available in six colors) or a leatherette cover (slate gray or black).
If you want the most out of your Birthday Edition, the earlier you were born, the better. However, for those of us not born at the dawn of the 20th century, the New York Times has included iconic front pages from major historical moments at the end of each book, to get to approximately 80 pages.
Still, the book, in my opinion, works best for someone with a bit more life experience, i.e., someone over the age of 50. This, however, makes it a top-notch gift to give someone celebrating a major birthday milestone, or to an elder parent for the holidays, Mother’s or Father’s Day.
Why Does the New York Times Birthday Book Make for Such a Great Gift?
You don’t need to be a history buff or even an avid reader of the New York Times to enjoy the newspaper’s captivating keepsake. The Birthday Book recalls history through a uniquely personal lens, compelling the reader to reflect on the world events that have influenced their life — and potentially introduce them to a new historical fact or two.
Beyond the obvious personal aspect of the book’s content, though, the Birthday Edition is a remarkably well-crafted memento. As mentioned, the coffee table book is available in either a smooth leatherette cover with foil-stamped embossing or premium linen with a detailed embossed title area. Each book displays the owner’s name and birth date on its cover, which adds another nice personal touch. It’s also surprisingly affordable for a customized gift. The leatherette cover is priced at $125, while the linen option is slightly more costly, at $160.
The New York Times Store also offers a keepsake for those born from 1975 to 2015. As I mentioned above, I find the birthday books to be better suited for older recipients, as there are more pages to flip through. But if you want to gift the same idea to someone younger, you can with Birthday Pages. This more affordable option, priced at $85, is an unbound book with every birthday of their life that’s presented in a modern folder and features personalization on the interior page with the giftee’s name and birthdate.
More Like This
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
